Jermar Electrical Services offers outdoor landscape lighting that life-up your home’s landscaping and enhance its overall appearance. This system is a typical low-voltage one that works with three simple ingredients: fixtures, low voltage electrical cable and a transformer. The installation part is quiet demanding for those who have a little experience in handling electric wiring. We offer high quality and skill and can do it with an impressive degree of expertise.

With Florida weather heading to the cooler months now is the time to think about outdoor lighting and how to utilize that beautiful outdoor space fore entertaining and enjoying the beautiful Florida evenings.

Some lighting concepts we can offer include:
Area lights – These may be flood lamps and pother lights that are used to illuminate a large area. These can be used creatively to generate dramatic results. You can use them for parks, play areas, pet areas, pool areas and any large area you want to light up.

Pathway lights- These are especially designed to furnish visibility to commuters moving on the pathways. They are among the chief part of outdoor landscape lighting. Thus they need to be well done. For this purpose, our team has a creative and specialized experience on this front.

House lighting-As a home lighting instrument you can attract visitors. They can be put up on the gate, front lawn, building exterior and give an impression of an atrium. Landscape lighting leaves the visitors spellbound. This is one of the most sought after landscape lighting offerings. Designs of trees, fountains, etc can be highlighted on your property and enhance its outlook.

Let Jermar Electrical Services help brighten your property. We can help you develop an exceptional and secure outdoor lighting option. Thus, our outdoor landscape lighting furnishes a flattering appearance blended with technological, creative, elegant and natural outlook.
 
Other landscape lighting options include:
Up Lighting | Down Lighting | Back Lighting | Shadowing | Grazing | Highlight or Focal Point | Cross Lighting | Path Lighting |Silhouette Lighting | Wall Washing | Mirror Lighting | Safety Lighting | Underwater Lighting

Jermar Electrical Services, is your licensed Electrical Contractor who help you create beautifully lighted outdoor and indoor spaces. Call today for a free estimate.

When considering new construction or a remodeling project, one of the most important aspects is the electrical portion of the work. While many homeowners do some of the electrical work themselves, it is wise to enlist the services of a licensed electrical contractor. Electrical wiring, circuit boxes, and fixtures can represent a severe hazard, resulting in fire or injury if not properly assembled and installed.

Most local building authorities require that even residential electrical wiring meet local code specifications. An inspection must be performed upon completion of work before drywall is installed, and a certificate of inspection provided by the inspector or licensed electrician.

Finding the Right Contractor
When hiring an electrical contractor, make sure they meet these guidelines:

• Provide a written quote for the price of the work they will be doing.
  
• Provide references of completed projects, and proof of current liability insurance.
• Are licensed for work in your locality
• They will obtain the necessary permits and application for inspection
• They will provide the signed certificate of inspection upon completion
  

After selecting an electrical contractor, and when drawing up the contract, be sure to include detailed information on project specifics. Include such things as start and finish dates, specifications of fixtures and materials, and a detailed payment plan.

The Inspection Process
Because wiring, circuit boxes, and fixtures must meet electrical code and be inspected before other aspects of the project can be completed, it is important to meet with all other contractors when planning and scheduling work, to insure the project progresses smoothly.

In addition to the mentioned inspections, if there will be any buried cable involved, that will also need to be inspected before trenching is backfilled. Wiring to the meter, the main disconnect, and grounding must also be inspected.

Portable electric generators provide a good source of power, but if improperly installed or operated, can become deadly.
To keep families safe, The Electrical Safety Foundation International (ESFI) and Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) offer a helpful new video and recommend taking the following precautions:
• Contact a licensed electrician to install your generator to make sure it meets local codes. Do not connect generators directly to household wiring without an appropriate transfer switch installed.
Power from generators connected directly to household wiring can backfeed along power lines and electrocute anyone coming in contact with them, including lineworkers making repairs. Other tips include:
• Make sure your generator is properly grounded.
• Keep the generator dry.
• Make sure extension cords used with generators are rated for the load, and are free of cuts and worn insulation and have three-pronged plugs.
• Do not overload the generator. A portable generator should be used only when necessary and only to power essential equipment or appliances.
• Never operate the generator in enclosed or partially enclosed spaces. Use carbon monoxide detectors in nearby enclosed spaces to monitor levels. Generators can produce high levels of carbon monoxide very quickly, which can be deadly.
• Use a ground fault circuit interrupter (GFCI) to help prevent electrocutions and electrical shock injuries.
• Make sure fuel for the generator is stored safely, away from living areas, in properly labeled containers and away from fuel-burning appliances. Before re-fueling, always turn the generator off and let it cool down.
• Turn off all appliances powered by the generator before shutting down the generator.
• Keep children away from portable generators at all times.
Electricity is a powerful tool. It can also be a lethal hazard. Better safety standards have reduced electrical hazards that cause deaths, injuries and property damage. But good safety habits are still the best prevention against electrical hazards.
 
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When was the last time your home had an electrical checkup?
The wonderful weather of Summer presents the easy opportunity to request that an electrician visit and have your homes electrical system thoroughly checked. Similar to the way we as people go to the doctor for a physical, a homes electrical system should receive annual or semi-annual inspections. The main reasons we would do this are to protect the longevity of the house, protect the inhabitants well being and maintain the best efficiency – which can save you money on your energy bill.
Throughout the year as electrical devices in the home wear and tear, make a list and store it in an accessible place. The more work that can be done in one visit by an electrician, the more you will save versus paying for several visits. Most electrical problems should only be handled by a professional. This is mainly due to the safety risk involved as well as any job not done correctly can cost time and money in the future if not up to code. Once you have enough items on your list to take action, review the home for any other electrical problems that may have been overlooked.
This is also a great time to do an evaluation of your electrical usage needs. Do you or your family need more power in the home? If so, include that on the list and ask the electrician if an upgrade is available. Finally, in preparing for your checkup, it may also be appropriate to determine if your home could use money saving electrical fixture upgrades. For example, you may want to upgrade frequently used rooms from common incandescent lights to fluorescent ones. This will reduce the electrical consumption and lower your energy bill.
At JERMAR we offer over 30 years’ experience and specialize in individual homes. We provide hassle free estimates and quality workmanship.  However, always do your homework and make sure you ask any electrical contractor the following questions.
* Number of years of experience
* Types of specialty
* Type of charge: by the job or by the hour
* “Ballpark estimate” for your job
Depending on your job, the best rate may not be the best fit. This often correlates with experience, and that is a matter of your personal preference.
Finally, once the job is set up, prepare for the electrician’s visit. Be sure to clear all work areas of any fragile items, home decorations and furnishings. It is also necessary to make sure that the panel box is clear and ready to be accessed. This will save the electrician time, which means you save money. Once the visit is complete you can rest assured that your homes electrical safety has been optimized and you will be operating at an efficient level.
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​After a tropical storm or hurricane don't return to your flood-damaged home before the area is declared to be safe by local officials. Returning home can be both physically and mentally challenging. Above all, use caution.

•          Keep a battery-powered radio with you so you can listen for emergency updates and news reports.
•          Use a battery-powered flash light to inspect a damaged home.
  Note: The flashlight should be turned on outside before entering - the battery may produce a spark that could ignite leaking gas, if present.
•          Watch out for animals, especially poisonous snakes. Use a stick to poke through debris.
•          Use the phone only to report life-threatening emergencies.
•          Stay off the streets. If you must go out, watch for fallen objects; downed electrical wires; and weakened walls, bridges, roads, and sidewalks.

Before You Enter Your Home After a Tropical Storm or Hurricane
Walk carefully around the outside and check for loose power lines, gas leaks, and structural damage. If you have any doubts about safety, have your residence inspected by a qualified building inspector or structural engineer before entering.
Do not enter if:

•          You smell gas.
•          Floodwaters remain around the building.
•          Your home was damaged by fire and the authorities have not declared it safe.

Going Inside Your Home
After a tropical storm or hurricane you can go inside your home, there are certain things you should and should not do. Enter the home carefully and check for damage. Be aware of loose boards and slippery floors. The following items are other things to check inside your home:

•          Natural gas. If you smell gas or hear a hissing or blowing sound, open a window and leave immediately. Turn off the main gas valve from the outside, if you can. Call the gas company from a neighbor’s residence. If you shut off the gas supply at the main valve, you will need a professional to turn it back on. Do not smoke or use oil, gas lanterns, candles, or torches for lighting inside a damaged home until you are sure there is no leaking gas or other flammable materials present.
•          Sparks, broken or frayed wires. Check the electrical system unless you are wet, standing in water, or unsure of your safety. If possible, turn off the electricity at the main fuse box or circuit breaker. If the situation is unsafe, leave the building and call for help. Do not turn on the lights until you are sure they’re safe to use. You may want to have an electrician inspect your wiring.
•          Roof, foundation, and chimney cracks. If it looks like the building may collapse, leave immediately.
•          Appliances. If appliances are wet, turn off the electricity at the main fuse box or circuit breaker. Then, unplug appliances and let them dry out. Have appliances checked by a professional before using them again. Also, have the electrical system checked by an electrician before turning the power back on.
•          Water and sewage systems. If pipes are damaged, turn off the main water valve. Check with local authorities before using any water; the water could be contaminated. Pump out wells and have the water tested by authorities before drinking. Do not flush toilets until you know that sewage lines are intact.
•          Food and other supplies. Throw out all food and other supplies that you suspect may have become contaminated or come in to contact with floodwater. Your basement. If your basement has flooded, pump it out gradually (about one third of the water per day) to avoid damage. The walls may collapse and the floor may buckle if the basement is pumped out while the surrounding ground is still waterlogged.
•          Open cabinets. Be alert for objects that may fall.
•          Clean up household chemical spills. Disinfect items that may have been contaminated by raw sewage, bacteria, or chemicals. Also clean salvageable items.
•          Call your insurance agent. Take pictures of damages. Keep good records of repair and cleaning costs.

 

This is the time of the year when we all decorate our homes, inside and outside with lights and other decorations. You remember the movie National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation? Well you certainly do not want that to happen to you now do you? Did you know that according to the Consumer Product Safety Commission it is estimated that about 12,500 people each year go to hospital emergency rooms for falls, cuts, shocks and burns related to holiday decorating?  Electric shock, burns can result from too many light strings strung end to end, low-wattage ornaments burning high-wattage bulbs or overloaded extension cords. 
Using candles also can cause injuries fires and even death. According to the Consumer Product Safety Commission candles start about 11,600 fires each year, resulting in 150 deaths, 1,200 injuries and $173 million in property loss.
So here are some safety tips for you so as to avoid the risk of fire or electrical injury.

1. Always inspect your light strings and discard any that are damaged. Be sure to replace any missing or broken bulbs. 
2. Most manufactures recommend you only connect 3 light strings together. 
3. Indoor VS Outdoor lights – Outdoor lights run hotter than indoor lights and are weather resistant. Outdoor lights should never be used indoors. Indoor lights should not be used outdoors as they may not withstand the weather. There are lights you can purchase that can be used both indoors and outdoors. 
4. Never run extension cords through water including outdoors. 
5. Do not overload extension cords. Check the wattage rating of your extension cord, as well as the power requirements of any lights or decorations you are plugging into it. 
6. When hanging lights outdoors - fasten them securely to trees, house walls, or other firm supports or run strings of lights through hooks. Use insulated staples and never use nails or tacks. 
7. Stay away from power or feeder lines leading from utility poles to your home. 
8. For outdoor lighting – be sure you are using a GFI outlet. This type of outlet will shut down the circuit in the case of overload. 
9. Inflatable blow up decorations – make sure they are secured according to instructions. Shut the blower down when it is windy, overnight or you are not home for long periods of time. 
10. Candles – be sure not to place them near curtains, bedding, paper, walls or in any other areas where there is a potential for them to cause a fire. Do not leave them burning when you are not at home or have left the room they are burning in. 

It is always better to err on the side of safety when decorating this holiday season. We at Jermar Electric wish you a happy and safe holiday season! ​

The Benefits of Whole Home Surge Protection 

Florida is the lightning capital of the world. Surge protectors are not just for computers. Power surges can ruin expensive appliances including refrigerators, TV’s, lighting control systems, security systems etc. Surge protection can be installed to protect your entire home. It makes little sense to spend a lot of money on expensive appliances without installing surge protection for your home. Lighting can send surges from not only nearby electrical wires but also through phone and internet lines running into your home or business. 

In Florida power surges are a common occurrence, not only from lightning strikes or downed power lines due to storms but also spikes in the current that flows through your wiring. Did you know that 60% to 80% of all power surges are within the home due to appliances that cycle on and off such as air conditioners, Refrigerators and dryers? When the power company switches grids during the day this also can cause a power surge.  

You may think that the greatest damage from power surges are from one large incident but in actuality it is from smaller surges over a period of time. These surges can damage your TV’s, Computers, Microwaves as well as phone lines, satellite connections and cable. These surges can cause these items to lock up or have glitches due to the circuits malfunctioning and in time will burn out. 

Whole home surge protection diverts these power surges to the ground. When a surge is detected, these surge protectors allow safe levels of electricity in and divert the extra into the ground. They are installed at your main panel and or at your power meter and therefor protects your entire home. Individual surge protectors only protect the individual items plugged into it.  It is also advisable to use individual units for sensitive equipment like computers and computer networks. Some power strips offer protection for very small surges so you should not rely on them to protect your valuable equipment. 

The benefits of having whole home surge protection is more than just protection of appliances so you do not have to replace them. It also minimizing the risk of fire caused by shorts within the wiring of your appliances and devices. 

 Another benefit is that your light bulbs can last four to five times longer. Light bulbs sense these power surges and receive the shock from them causing them to not last as long as they could. 

Whole home surge protection will save you money as you will not have to replace your appliances and equipment due to the damage power surges can cause over the course of time. 

When you experience a power surge from a storm or from your power being restored after an outage, would it not be nice not to have to worry that your appliances and equipment will be damaged? Whole home surge protection can give you peace of mind as you no longer have to worry about surge damage in any form. 

Jermar Electric provides whole home surge protection installation. If you want to protect your valuable equipment and appliances in your home or office, do not hesitate to give us a call and we will be happy to provide you a free estimate as to the cost of this installation. We service Cape Coral, Fort Myers, No. Fort Myers, Estero, Bonita Springs, Lehigh Acres, & Beyond! 

An extension cord is an insulated, flexible electric wire fitted with a plug at one end and one or more outlets on the other.  It provides a convenient way to use electrical equipment that can’t reach a wall outlet or provide more electrical power in area.

We have seen the use of extension cords in nearly every home and business we have serviced, and often wondered if the hazards were ever considered!  We know that an extension cord is an easy fix to bringing power to an item or area, but is “safety first” always considered.  Here are some simple, yet important safety concerns to consider when thinking of using an extension cord!
 Safety Tips!! 

These important safety principles can help keep your home or office safe from electrical hazards:

• Extension cords should only be used on a temporary basis; unplug and safely store them after every use.
• Never use a cord that feels hot or is damaged in any way.  Touching even a single exposed strand can give you an electric shock or burn.
• Make sure extension cords are properly rated for their intended use, indoor or outdoor, and meet or exceed the power needs of the appliance or tools being used.
• Do not run extension cords through walls or ceilings.  This may cause the cord to overheat, creating a serious fire hazard.
• Keep extension cords out of high traffic areas like doorways or walkways where they pose a tripping hazard.
• Insert plugs fully so that no part of the prongs is exposed when the extension cord is in use.
• Do not nail or staple electrical cords to walls or baseboards.
• If an extension cord is need for a longer period of time, temporary power taps can be used when insufficient electrical receptacles are available.  These devices may have 3 to 6 electrical receptacles, a circuit breaker, a 6-foot to 15-foot cord and surge protector, and should bear the mark of a certified testing organization.
• Ensure that all extension cords are certified by a nationally recognized testing laboratory such as UL, CSA or ETL and always read the manufacturer’s instructions carefully.

 Facts and Statistics!!

Extension cords are a leading cause of electrical fires and can cause injury and death if used improperly – according to the CPSC:

• An estimated 3,000 plus residential fires originate from extension cords each year, killing and injuring over 300 people.
• More than half of the injuries involve fractures, lacerations, contusions or sprains caused by people tripping over the cords.
• Continual use can cause the insulation to rapidly deteriorate, creating a dangerous shock and fire hazard.
• A heavy reliance on extension cords is an indication that you have too few outlets to address your electrical needs.  Have additional outlets installed by a licensed electrician where you need them!

Understanding extension cords and their use is your best way to stay safe!  Jermar Electric will always be available to assist you in finding your remedy to your extension cord dilemma!

There you are sitting in your favorite chair, watching your favorite TV show when out of nowhere you hear it. The chirp… chirp… chirp of your smoke detector. This could mean one of several things; your battery needs replacing or it could mean the sensor within it needs cleaning. 

Whether you have a battery powered or electric with a battery backup, the chirping most commonly means your battery(s) needs to be replaced. To avoid this it is best to change the batteries in all your smoke detectors when you change your clocks. If you have an electric powered detector then change your batteries at the beginning of each New Year. Be sure to have new, fresh batteries on hand as well. 

Smoke Detectors have sensors which can get blocked by dust. So if the chirping continues even after replacing the batteries, they try vacuuming your detector. If you have battery powered, then open the cover and vacuum gently with a soft brush. However if you have an electric powered then you will need to turn the power off to all the smoke detectors. You can do this at your breaker box. Then vacuum the outside vents only. It is best to do this once a year. You can combine this with changing the batteries at the first of each New Year.  

If your detector continues to chirp and you have replaced the batteries, and vacuumed it, then it may be that you need to replace the detector. Smoke detectors last between 7-10 years.  You can test your detector by pushing the test button. If it does not chirp and you have replaced the batteries and you have vacuumed it, they you may need a new detector. If you have battery powered detectors, then when you replace them consider having them electrically installed by a licensed electrician. You can have them interconnected so that when one goes off, they all do which provides added safety. In addition you do not need to replace the batteries as often. 

So let’s test your knowledge of smoke detectors. Do you know where smoke detectors must be installed within your home? 

Jermar Electric is family owned & operated state certified electrical contractor since 1986 and provides residential and commercial electrical services in the Lee County areas of Fort Myers, Cape Coral, Lehigh Acres, Estero, Sanibel, Fort Myers Beach, Pine Island and Bonita Springs.